Parts of Europe have passed legislation that will require all new buildings built after 2020 to adhere as closely as possible to net-zero energy designs. Spanish architecture firm EZAR and architect Juan Blázquez demonstrated the potential beauty of such designs through the CSI-IDEA Building in Málaga, Spain, which has a green face and generates more energy than it needs to run.

The CSI-IDEA Building makes use of passive design, including its unique shape, to reduce the overall energy load. Solar thermal energy generated on site provides heat, with a design that ensures the building generates more energy than it utilizes. Efficient air conditioning and lighting also reduce energy consumption.

Energy efficiency isn’t the only sustainable feature of the CSI-IDEA Building. The materials used also play a part in reducing its environmental impact. EZAR used both recycled materials and those that can be recycled in the future in the construction, with an emphasis on low toxicity materials and finishing. Further, each end of the building includes a wall of vegetation, which adds to the elegance of the design and blends the building in beautifully with the surrounding community.

EZAR reports the project will result in reduced carbon emissions and less energy and water consumption. Thanks to this and rainwater harvesting, CSI-IDEA uses 50 percent less water than a typical building. It is also designed to recycle 75 percent of all waste generated in the building.

EZAR also concerned themselves with the health of the building’s occupants, with lighting and acoustics designed to provide natural comfort. According to EZAR’s design brief, “The architecture of the building itself guarantees the quality of life of users while preserving their health.”